When technology is used to derive usable energy from the light of the sun one calls it solar power and the use of solar energy has been known and used by traditional technologies for centuries and is most used where other power supplies are not present like in space or in remote locations on the earth. Solar power has been used in heating, generation of electricity as well as in desalination of seawater and its application is becoming more widespread as the costs as well as supply of other power sources like fossil fuels make it an effective source for energy generation. There are a number of different uses for solar power and solar heating systems are one such use.

Solar Heating Systems

Solar hot water systems make use of sunlight to heat up water and these systems are found in domestic appliances that heat domestic water or for space heating and are basically composed of solar thermal collectors as well as a storage tank. There are three types of solar water heaters that make use of solar power and these are active systems that use pumps in order to circulate water or to heat transfer fluids and the passive systems that circulate water or heat transfer fluid through natural circulation and are known as thermosiphon systems and the third type is the batch system that use a tank that is heated by sunlight, directly.

Another use of solar power is in solar cooking where a solar box cooker traps the energy from the sun into an insulated box and these are useful in cooking, pasteurization as well as fruit canning and are in use in many developing countries to reduce the demand for firewood as well as to keep the environment clean. Solar lighting is another use of solar power where use of natural light to supply illumination is used to save energy and it offers physiological as well as psychological benefits.

There are also large scale uses for solar power as are in the case of solar thermal electric power plants where solar thermal energy may be used in heating a heat exchanger to high temperatures and the heat is then used in the production of electric power or for other industrial uses. Also, solar power technologies may be classified as direct or indirect and normally, direct solar power involves a single transformation of sunlight in order to get energy that can be used and in such cases sunlight may be used to hit photovoltaic cells to create electricity or it may warm a thermal mass or it may strike a solar sail such as those found on spacecrafts and there are also many other means of deriving direct solar power. Indirect solar power involves multiple conversion of sunlight to obtain useable energy forms.

A European consortium of scientists has conducted a solar power project whereby they have increased the efficiency rating of solar cells. Their breakthrough allows a record level of 18% of sunlight to be converted to electricity by a solar panel. They believe that this innovation will decrease the costs involved in future solar power projects and will bring the world one step closer to solar energy becoming the world’s chief source of electricity.

Spain Now Requires Use Of Solar Power

The government of Spain has decided to take solar power projects much more seriously. With their new updates to their housing and building codes, they are requiring broad advancements in the use of solar technology. New homes must get at least 30% of their electrical needs from solar energy. The amount can vary based on location and other conditions. Whereas much of Spain’s research and funding has previously been dedicated to wind power, the country now sees solar power as its key to a brighter future in the field of energy resources and consumption.

Solar Powered Car A Huge Hit At Solar Energy Convention

A car powered entirely by solar energy was a huge hit at a recent solar energy convention in San Jose, California. After having been in development for several years, the car was unveiled to an overwhelmingly positive response. Looking more like a golf cart than a normal car, the vehicle is powered by energy collected by solar cells on the roof of the car. Prototypes are being prepared to lead to future models becoming available for consumer purchase. After meeting such a response at a convention of solar energy enthusiasts, it remains to be seen how the cars will be received at more mainstream automotive conventions and showcases.

Providing Heated Water For 2008 Olympics

The Olympic officials for the 2008 Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing, China have announced their plans to have a “green Olympics,” using environmentally friendly technologies wherever possible. In an effort to help them comply with this mission, a newly developed solar power project has been presented by German scientists and funded through the Italian government. Their system will allow the showers in the athlete’s village to be heated via solar power. The showers will be used by nearly 10,000 athletes, and the cost of the solar power project will be much less than heating via conventional means.

Today the whole planet is held for ransom by the greed and indiscriminate use of non-renewable fuel and energy. It does not matter whether we speak of water, wood, electricity, minerals, animals, you name it – man has exploited every one to near exhaustion. A drastic change is needed in human behavior today if we want to save this wonderful planet for posterity.

Do they all look futuristic? Not all of them do.

The Solar Power Car – A Dream Come True

Crude oil being one of the most critically endangered non-renewable energy sources at present, kick-started many research projects which are seeking workable solutions to this problem. The solar power car is one such solution which may have the answer to the dwindling resource for a seamless transfer of technology.

The solar panels that are used in the car, unlike in the past are much more reasonable in cost today, though not exactly affordable. Comparing the costs we had about some 7-8 years back, today’s solar panels are easier on the pocket. It will, of course, still need to come down if we are talking about a mass-appeal product.

Why solar power, you may ask? Solar power is one of the most available and easily within-the-reach as a source of energy for human society. The sun is indeed a form of renewable energy that could last forever, and utilized properly, could provide free energy for everyone in a few years down the track.

The solar power car in this context, is exactly what is needed – since the fuel costs are rising steadily and the crude oil sources are diminishing day by day – one has to have some alternatives handy. The solar power car would answer to some burning needs of today. However, it is not clear whether such a car can be made commercially viable yet.

A few elite motor companies have already released prototypes of cars that run on electricity. They are made only for two – but they are exceptionally fuel efficient. The electric car is also known as the smart car and the general target customers are young women. This is because the vehicle is very small and achieves a maximum of 50 kms/hr speed, which would not appeal too much to men.

An advantage of focusing on women is that their finance (through women-only accounts) would be slightly easier than for men.

Today, the electric car can run some 70 plus kms for the cost of one liter of petrol – which is phenomenal. Can the solar power car better this record?